NOTES ON OLD BELPER AND OLD BELPER BOOKS. 1 9 



most distinguished personages in the United Kingdom of Great 

 Britain and Ireland, together with the united testimony of the 

 first Physicians in Europe, etc. Price One shilling per bottle." 



In the year 1833, there was printed by George Mason a small 

 book of words — "New Church | Belper; | Grand Selection — of 

 Sacred Music | to be performed | in | Belper Church | on | Wed- 

 nesday Feby 27, 1833. In aid of the funds | for erecting and 

 establishing an | Infants School | in that town. | To Commence 

 at Two O'clock precisely | Price Three pence." The new church 

 will be better recognised as St. Peter's Church, the foundation 

 stone of which was laid in great state by the Duke of Devonshire 

 in 1822. The church was consecrated by Bishop Ryder, and 

 opened for Divine service in 1824. Only one service a day was 

 held for sometime, and it may be noted that in 1826 the 

 collection at the Sunday school sermons amounted to over £2^. 

 In the same year, the Belper Bible Society paid the parent society 

 the sum of ;^iio. 



Mr. George Mason, in addition to his business as a printer and 

 stationer, sold ale and beer at the Queen Street entrance to his 

 establishment. He also dealt in matters considerably outside 

 his calling. On his counter at one time might have been seen 

 an electric plating bath in full operation. The small field 

 opposite the old corner shop has since the time of the Masons 

 been always known as the " Masons' Croft." Mr. George Mason 

 was succeeded in the tenancy by Mr. Barber, who held the 

 freehold of the shop. In 1844, Mr. Barber was succeeded by Mr. 

 Lowe, who for some years consecutively printed the Bible Society 

 reports. Mr. E. Lowe becoming interested in the gold fever 

 of the day, emigrated to the Australian diggings, handing over 

 the business to Mr. Joseph Pegg, who had served an apprentice- 

 ship at Caxton House, Nottingham. 



In Bridge Street, in 18 19, there lived a printer and bookseller 

 named Ogle. He printed a small book entitled, " History | of | 

 Poor Joe I the | Belper Nailer | . Price One Penny." It only 

 contains eight pages, and the hero is a lachrymose individual, like 

 Mr. Micawber, always waiting for something to turn up. The 



